As a photographer David Salik had long known the intrinsic value of outreach that works of art symbolize.
With that realization in mind, David has been using his passion for photography to build a connection with refugees.
This week Salik announced that proceeds from sale of the fine prints of his original photos will go to refugees.
“I am not just reaching out to Pakistani Christian refugees in Nepal and Thailand but also the Rohingya Muslims, who has been displaced from their homes and now live in camps in the Himalayan country,” says David.
Salik has known and felt the plight of minority communities since childhood, growing up with heightened awareness that his father Julius Salik, a former member of the Parliament and a known human rights activist, encouraged.
A landscape in Maryland
Image Credit: David Salik
Nearly a decade ago, David motivated an American photographic company to open its office in Pakistan to the benefit of several natives.
He has also
“50% of sale proceeds of all my photography goes for social welfare work, I found this perfect way to use my talent for serving others.”
The buyers can purchase high resolution photography from his website www.davidsalik.smugmug.com that keeps adding his work.
David also made a documentary based on his visit and interaction with Pakistani Christian families in Thailand as a way to support assistance for them.
He calls his welfare commitment as vision for a mission: “You are not just buying art you are supporting the mission.”
David has also been a big support for his father’s mission, who recently wrote a book Peace Journey and has a long history of commitment to human rights in Pakistan and peaceful coexistence.
“I have also discovered the humanity of people during my work. For example, I have found Nepal to be a great hospitable country, where people from many parts of the world come and live as refugees. The Nepalese welcome them and allow them to live independently in their midst. The world needs to support such countries much more than what we have now.”
Fall in Maryland Image Credit: David Salik
David’s country of origin, Pakistan has for long hosted refugees, particularly Afghans, who have fled conflicts and wars since 1980s and found a refuge in the country.
Overall, the United Nations says the world has the largest number of refugees at the moment due to conflicts in the Middle East. At several places around the world, especially in Eastern European countries, right-leaning parties have stoked anti-immigrant and anti-refugee sentiment. Even, the United States has cut down the number of refugees it takes annually.
These are tough times for refugees all over the world.
Buyers will be able to experience his work at the wedding anniversary on June 15, when he displays them to raise awareness about the need for supporting refugees.
